Tune in to an unfiltered and heartfelt conversation with the charismatic and talented Siddhant Chaturvedi on the latest episode of In the Ring with Filmfare, now streaming on Filmfare’s YouTube channel. Hosted by Jitesh Pillai, the Editor-in-Chief of Filmfare, this insightful talk show delves beneath the surface of the lives and careers of the brightest stars from the film industry and OTT world, all before a live audience that adds to the unique and immersive experience.
In this episode, Siddhant Chaturvedi shares his remarkable journey from leaving a promising career in Chartered Accountancy to making a name in the acting world. He also discusses his breakthrough role in Gully Boy, his on-screen romance with Deepika Padukone in Gehraiyaan, and his preparation for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Additionally, Siddhant opens up about his father’s rock-solid support of his dreams, which has been instrumental in his success. The conversation further takes an intriguing turn as he candidly discusses ‘Red Flags’ in relationships and reveals his first love story at the age of 19.
Reflecting on facing rejections almost every day before his breakthrough in Gully Boy, Siddhant Chaturvedi shares, “The hardest time of my life was before I made it as an actor. Despite having a secure career as a Chartered Accountant, facing rejections every day for 5 to 6 years took a toll on my mental health. But I was more than happy when I eventually made it.”
However, Siddhant credits his father’s love for cinema and his support for his dreams for his acting career. He says, “I’m here because of my father’s love for films. He is the one who has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. He was fully aware of the risks associated with it, but he kept using CA as a blanket to protect the entire family from the shame of even talking about our dreams out loud because we could have been outcasted from the community. “
He further speaks about taking on the role of MC Sher in Gully Boy, which catapulted him to overnight fame. Siddhant recalls, “When I first read the script, I fell in love with the character. There was something about MC Sher that compelled me to bring his character to life on screen. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t a part of Gully Boy’s promotions; didn’t even attend the film’s premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. I still remember, before attending one of Gully Boy’s screenings, Alia told me, ‘Your life is going to change. You know that, right?’ And it was such a surreal moment for me. As soon as I exited the theatre, I was immediately thronged by a wave of journalists. Amidst all of that, Ranveer looked at me and gushed, “Chote… Star Hai, Star Hai Ladka!” That experience was something else!”
He adds, “My dad has watched the film 25 times in different theatres. Surprisingly, I haven’t watched Gully Boy even once. I couldn’t watch it because every time I attempted to, my focus would shift to my parents’ reaction, and that’s what truly mattered to me. Siddhant then jokes, “I only watch my bad films. I enjoy watching the films that didn’t work either. I watched Phone Bhoot, and I loved it.”
Talking about his friendships with peers from the industry, Siddhant shares, “I have more director friends in the industry, but Adarsh Gourav is an exception.He is a wonderful guy; I had a great time working with him (in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan). Besides Adarsh, Ishaan (Khatter) and I have a good equation. He was the one who broke the title of my upcoming film, Dhadak 2, to me. Ananya (Panday) and I, too, have a solid relationship.
Siddhant also got candid about romancing Deepika Padukone in Gehraiyaan, saying, “I was bad during my first intimacy workshop with Deepika Padukone. It was a tricky situation because I not only had to initiate a conversation with Deepika but also had to prove that I could get intimate with her. But when I’d almost given up on the part, my dad motivated me to take on the role.”